Squeezing arrangement for wet tubular webs



March 24 1970 KARL-HEINZ HEITKAMP 3,501,818

SQUEEZING ARRANGEMENT FOR WET TUBULAR WEBS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 26, 1968 March 24, 1970 -KAR LHEINZ HEITKAMP 3,501,818

SQUEEZING ARRANGEMENT. FOR WET TUBULAR WEBS Filed Feb. 26, 1968 j I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Hark/# 22 #1304 r. 2

March 24., 1970 KARL-HEINZ HEITKAMP 3,501,818

SQUEEZING ARRANGEMENT FUR WET TUBULAR WEBS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. '26, 1968 rand 1 4* KARL-HEINZ HEITKAMP 6,501,818

March 24, 1970 SQUEEZING ARRANGEMENT FOR WET TUBULARWEBS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 26, 1968 March 24, 1970 KARL-HEINZ HElTKAM-P 3,

SQUEEZING ARRANGEMENT FOR WET TUBULAR WEBS Filed Feb. 26, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent O US. Cl. 2655 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tubular web, which is wet due to immersion into a dye or finishing liquid, is squeezed out in a circular gap between two circular elastic concentric squeezing rollers supported on inner and outer supporting rollers for rotation about circular axes. The outer supporting rollers are driven to rotate the elastic outer roller, and are inward movable for varying the pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with an improved squeezing arrangement for removing liquid from wet tubular webs.

Apparatus serving this purpose is known in which the web is supplied in fiat condition with two superimposed portions to the. gap between a pair of squeezing rollers which squeeze out the liquid from the flat tubular web, but simultaneously produce two sharp fold lines along the superimposed web portions, so the apparatus can be used only for squeezing out water, but not for squeezing out a finishing liquid or a dye, since the fold lines would sharply contrast with the remaining parts of the tubular web. Another disadvantage of prior art constructions is that the tubular web is frequently damaged in the region of the fold lines. Furthermore, due to the fact that two superimposed portions of the Web are subjected to the squeezing action of the rollers, it is not possible to squeeze the web as dry, as can be done with a single ply web.

It is also known to spread a fiat tubular web by a plurality of inner rollers arranged along an arc in the interior of the tubular web, whereupon the spread tubular web is again flattened and squeezed out between a pair of straight cooperating squeezing rollers which act on two superimposed web portions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the known apparatus for squeezing out tubular webs, and to provide a squeezing apparatus permitting the squeezing out of a liquid dye or liquid finishing agent wetting a tubular web.

Another object of the invention is to provide a squeezing arrangement in which a tubular web is squeezed in a spread cylindrical condition between two annular rollers.

Another object of the invention is to make a pair of cooperating squeezing rollers of an elastic material, and the rotate the rollers about annular axes While squeezing out a liquid from the tubular web in a cylindrical condition.

With these objects in view, one embodiment of the invention comprises transporting means for transporting a tubular web, at least one annular elastic inner squeezing roller and at least one annular elastic outer squeezing roller having parallel annular axes and forming an annular gap for the tubular web, and supporting means supporting the inner and outer squeezing rollers for rotation about the annular axes so that the transported wet tubular web is squeezed out in the gap between the inner and outer squeezing rollers.

Patented Mar. 24, 1970 The transporting means comprise drive means for rotating at least one of the elastic squeezing rollers, preferably the outer squeezing roller, about the annular axis thereof so that the tubular web is transported, and frictionally transmits rotary motion to the inner elastic squeezing roller. The supporting means on which the rollers are supported, preferably include a plurality of pairs of outer supporting roller mean cooperating with the outer annular squeezing roller. A plurality of inner supporting pairs of rollers may be provided which cooperate with the inner annular elastic squeezing roller, but in a modified embodiment of the invention, two annular elastic outer squeezing rollers cooperate with the inner squeezing roller and support the same for rotation about its annular axis.

The outer supporting rollers are connected to each other for synchronous rotation, and are driven by a common drive motor.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer supporting rollers are mounted for radial movement, and a hydraulic or pneumatic servomotor acts through connecting means on all outer supporting rollers for moving the same simultaneously inwards or outwards for varying the pressure of the annular elastic outer squeezing roller on the tubular web.

In one embodiment of the invention, the annular elastic inner and outer squeezing rollers are circular rings having circular cross-sections. The rings may be solid and consist of an elastomer, such as rubber, through-out or be rubber tubes filled with a liquid or gas. In any event, it is necessary that the inner and outer squeezing rollers are elastic so that they can rotate about the annular axes thereof.

Supply means supply the tubular web in flattened condition to centrally disposed spreading means which spread the superimposed portions of the web and guide the same toward the' gap between the annular elastic inner and outer squeezing rollers.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic plan view, partially in horizontal section, illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. la is a fragmentary schematic sectional view illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the tubular web is immersed in a finishing or dyeing liquid;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a modified spreading arrangement for the tubular web;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a modification in which two annular elastic outer squeezing rollers cooperate with one inner squeezing roller for supporting the latter for rotation;

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which pairs of outer supporting rollers are provided for each of two elastic outer squeezing rollers;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating inner supporting rollers for the elastic inner squeezing roller;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary schematic vertical section illustrating another embodiment of the invention in which the outer supporting rollers are operated to move inward into engagement with the outer squeezing rollers in a manner different from the construction of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary schematic plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 illustrating the mounting means for a plurality of outer supporting rollers for one of the elastic outer squeezing rollers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a tubular web 1 comprises portions 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d and is transported in the direction of the arrow. The portion 1a of the tubular web is flattened and consists of two superimposed web portions, which are connected along lateral fold lines. The flat web is guided over a roller 40' and continues to move in vertical direction. A spreading member 9 is located within the Web and has a spherical end portion 35 by which the web is spread. Spreading member 9 consists of two plates between which a pair of inner spreading rollers 36 is mounted for rotation. The frame 19 of the machine carries brackets 39 with outer spreading rollers 37, 38 cooperating with spreading rollers 36 through the partly spread tubular web.

Due to the fact that rollers 36 are supported on the pairs of rollers 37, 38, spreading member 9' is also supported in a central position within the tubular web. A carrier 8 is mounted on top of spreading member 9, and carries brackets 6, 7 having bearings in which the shafts 5a and 6a of pairs of inner supporting rollers 5 and 6 are mounted for rotation. As best seen in FIG. 2, the pairs of inner supporting rollers 5, 6 are arranged in a circle, and the rollers 5, 6 of all pairs are in rolling contact with a circular inner squeezing roller 2 consisting of an elastomer, such as rubber. The inner squeezing roller 2 is supported by the pairs of inner supporting rollers and by spreading member 9 which is carried by the cooperating rollers 36, 37 and through brackets 39 by frame 19.

The inner squeezing roller 2 is circular and has a circular cross-section. The outer diameter of the inner squeezing roller 2 is greater than the spacing of rollers 36 so that portion 10 of the tubular web is funnel-shaped, and the web is expanded by circular squeezing roller 2 to have a circular cross-section. Transporting means, not shown, transport the web portion 1d further in the direction of the arrow, and eventually the web is flattened and transported with two web portions superimposed.

The inner squeezing roller 2 is surrounded by an outer circular squeezing roller 3 consisting of an elastomer and having a circular cross-section. The circular axes of squeezing rollers 2 and 3 are located in a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer squeezing rollers 2, 3 form a circular gap through which the tubular web is threaded at the beginning of the operation.

The outer squeezing roller 3 is supported by pairs of outer supporting rollers 10, 11 so that both squeezing rollers 2, 3 can rotate about the circular axes thereof which is possible due to the fact that the rollers consist of an elastic material. In a modified arrangement, the squeezing rollers are tubular and contain a liquid or gas.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the outer squeezing roller 3 is rotated about its circular axis by the upper outer supporting rollers 11, which are driven. Consequently, the web is transported in the gap between the squeezing rollers 2 and 3, and squeezing roller 2 is rotated about its circular axis due to the frictional engagement with the tubular web when the same is transported by the driven outer squeezing roller 3.

The pairs of outer supporting rollers 10 and 11 have shafts 27 mounted on bearing brackets 12, 13 which are carried by frame portions 16, 17, 18 of frame 19. The upper outer supporting rollers 11 are fixed to the respective shafts 27 and form a circle, as best seen in FIG. 2.

Each shaft 27 carries a bevel gear 26 meshing with a vertical bevel gear 21 which is mounted for rotation on bracket 12 and has a shaft carrying a chain wheel or pulley wheel 20. An endless loop of a chain 52 passes over chain wheels 20 and is guided at one point over a pair of chain wheels 22, 23, and a chain wheel 24 to form a radially projecting loop portion. Chain wheel 24 is driven by a motor, not shown, so that the loop of chain 52 moves in circumferential direction and drives all chain wheels 20 and thereby all upper outer supporting rollers 11 which are in frictional engagement with the outer squeezing roller 3 and rotate the same about its circular axis.

Bearing brackets 12 and 13 have outwardly projecting plates 12a, 13a slidably guided on pairs of frame plates 15 secured to brackets 16 of frame portions 17, 18. Plates 15 have radially extending slots 15a, and plates 12a and 13a have bores, and bolts pass through the bores and slots so that the mounting means 12, 13, 14 of the outer supporting rollers 10, 11 can be adjusted in radial direction toward and away from the outer squeezing roller 3.

In order to obtain a desired pressure of supporting rollers 10, 11 on the elastic squeezing roller 3 for pressing the same against the inner squeezing roller 2, each mounting means 12, 13, 14 carries a chain wheel or pulley wheel 29 engaged by an endless loop of a rope 30 which preferably consists of synthetic fibers. The ends of rope 30 are guided from one of the wheels 29 over four guide rollers 31 to a hydraulic servomotor 32 so that by conventional operation of the servomotor, the tension of the rope loop 30 can be increased or reduced, and when the rope loop is tensioned, it urges all pulley wheels 29 and thereby all mounting means 12, 13, 14 inward so that the pairs of outer supporting rollers 10, 11 are pressed against the outer squeezing roller 3.

The tubular web is supplied to the apparatus in wet condition. For example, as shown in FIG. la, the web portion 1a in flattened condition may be guided by guide rollar 40a into and out of a container 51 containing a finishing liquid or a dye before it is spread by the rounded end 35 of spreading member 9.

After passing through the gaps between rollers 36 and 37, 38, the portion 10 of the tubular web is spread to have a circular cross-section when passing through the gap betwen squeezing rollers 2 and 3.

The squeezing pressure is determined by the operating means including servomotors 32, 33, rope 30, and wheels 29 since all pairs of outer pressure rollers acting along the entire periphery of the outer elastic squeezing roller 3, reduce the inner diameter of the same. The inner squeezing roller 2, supported by the inner supporting rollers 4, 5 offers resistance against deformation so that the liquid contained in the tubular web is squeezed out uniformly around the entire circumference of the transported web and flows downward, while the conical portion 1d of the tubular web is transported in upward direction and is gradually flattened to be further transported by a pair of straight transporting rollers, not shown.

During the continuous transport of the web, the inner and outer Squeezing rollers 2, 3 rotate about the circular axes thereof, as indicated by arrows in the sections of FIG. 1. As explained above, supporting rollers 11 are driven to rotate the outer squeezing roller 3, and the rotary motion is transmitted through the transported web to the inner squeezing roller 3. As explained above, all upper outer supporting rollers 11 are connected to their shafts 27, preferably by sleeves 28, and since all shafts 27 are simultaneously driven by drive means including the motor having chain wheel 24, and chain 52 with radial loop portion 25, the outer squeezing roller 3 is reliably rotated.

Depending on the operation of the hydraulic servomotor 32, 33, the squeezing pressure is increased or reduced by moving the mounting means of the outer supporting rollers 10, 11 inward or outward in radial direction.

The apparatus obtains a very fast and uniform removal of liquid from a tubular web, for example from a tubular knitted fabric.

The squeezing rollers 2, 3 can be easily replaced by loosening rope 30, and sliding the mounting means 12, 13 with the outer supporting rollers 10, 11 in outward direction so that first the outer squeezing roller 3 and then the inner squeezing roller 2 can be removed in upward direc tion. The carrier 8 with brackets 6, 7 and inner supporting rollers 4, can be removed after removal of the nuts 8a.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 is constructed and operated as described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, but the operating means for moving the mounting means 12, 13 with outer supporting rollers 11, inwards are modified. Guide plates 43, 44 are secured to the frame portions 17 and 18 and slidably guide a pair of plates 41, 42 secured to brackets 12, 13. Plates 41 and 42 are connected to each other by transverse posts 41a passing through slots in guide plates 43 and 44. Two expansible tubes 43 and 46 abut frame portions 17, 18 and posts 41a of all mounting means of the outer supporting rollers 10 and 11, and can be blown up by compressed air, for example, to push the mounting means of supporting rollers 10, 11 inward until the desired pressure between squeezing rollers 3 and 2 is obtained.

The fragmentary view of FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the spreading means are modified. The rollers 36-38 are replaced by at least two circumferentially spaced spreading bails whose ends are guided on projections of spreading member 9, and whose center portions are mounted on spreading member 9 for radial adjustment by threaded means 48, 49. Spreading bails 47 can be adjusted until the web portion la is spread to the diameter of the circular gap between squeezing rollers 2 and 3.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, the inner squeezing roller 2 is supported for rotation about its circular axis by pairs of inner supporting rollers 4 and 5.

As schematically shown in FIG. 5, the inner supporting rollers 4, 5 can be omitted, and the inner squeezing roller 2 supported between two outer squeezing rollers 67 and 68 which form two gaps with the inner squeezing roller 2 through which the web is guided. The outer squeezing rollers 67, 68 are disposed below and above the inner squeezing roller 2, respectively, and the inner surfaces of squeezing rollers 67 and 68 have smaller diameters than the outer surface of the inner squeezing roller 2 so that the outer squeezing rollers '67, 68 support the inner squeezing roller 2 for rotation about its circular axis. Squeezing rollers 67 and 68 are supported by outer supporting rollers 62, 61 and 60 which are arranged end to end to form circles, as described for the outer supporting rollers 11 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Outer supporting rollers 60 and 62 are driven for driving the outer squeezing rollers 67 and 68 in the manner described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 by two transmissions including chain wheels, an endless chain loop, and a drive motor.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 has a single circular squeezing roller '96 cooperating with and supported by a pair of outer squeezing rollers 94, 95, as described with reference to FIG. 5. A U-shaped holder 88, 89 has angular bearing brackets supporting a pair of upper supporting rollers 92, 93, and a pair of lower supporting rollers 90, 91 for rotation. The upper pair of supporting rollers 92, 93 supports the outer squeezing roller '95 for rotation, and a lower pair of supporting rollers 90, '92, supports the lower outer squeezing roller '94 for rotation about its circular axis. Gears 56, 5622 are secured to rollers 93, 90, gears 57, 57a are secured to rollers 92 and 91. The pair of gears 56, 57 mesh with a gear 58, and a pair of gears 56a, 57a meshes with a gear 580, gears 58 and 58a being mounted on the arms 88 and 89 for rotation. Drive means, substantially as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 6 act on gears 58 and 58a to rotate the same whereby the outer supporting rollers 90-93, and the outer squeezing rollers 94, 95 are rotated.

The U-shaped member 88, 89 is connected by a toggle lever system 86 to a hydraulic servomotor including a cylinder 83, and a piston 84 whose piston rod 87 is pivotally connected with the arm 85a of an angular lever 85 which is part of the toggle lever system 86. When piston 84 is operated, angular lever 85 turns about a stationary pivot 85a on a supporting frame 17a on which cylinder 83 is mounted, and the turning angular lever 85 extends or retracts the toggle lever system 86 together with the U- shaped holder 88, 89 so that the pressure of supporting rollers 90-93 on squeezing rollers 94, 95, and thereby the pressure acting on the inner squeezing roller 96 can be varied in accordance with the properties of the squeezed, transported web.

As compared with the embodiment of FIG. 1, it will be seen that the squeezing in the constructions of FIGS. 5 and 6 takes place in two gaps, as compared with one gap in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Furthermore, the inner supporting rollers of FIG. 1 can be omitted, and the inner squeezing roller is carried by the two outer squeezing rollers.

During threading in of the tubular web, the outer suporting rollers 90-93 may be fully retracted by the toggle lever system 86.

It is also possible to mount the angular brackets of the outer supporting rollers 90-93 detachably on the U-shaped holder 88, 89.

The modification of FIG. 7 has two outer squeezing rollers 94 and 95 cooperating with an inner squeezing roller 97, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, pairs of inner supporting rollers 99 are connected by a frame 98 and are in rolling contact with the inner squeezing roller 97 to support the same in radial direction against the pressure exerted by the outer squeezing rollers 94 and 95. The arms of frame 98, or the bearings of rollers 99 can be constructed to permit removal of the inner supporting rollers 99 for the purpose of removing the inner squeezing roller 97. Since the inner squeezing roller 97 is supported by the outer squeezing rollers 94 and 95, frame 98 of the inner supporting rollers 99 need not be supported on a spreading member, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and frame 98 with rollers 99 is carried by the inner squeezing roller 97.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 has an inner squeezing roller 69 cooperating with and supported by a pair of outer squeezing rollers 67 and 68. Pairs of outer supporting rollers 63, 64 and 65, 66 are in rolling contact with the outer squeezing rollers 67 and 68, and are carried by angular brackets 50 and 50a pivotally mounted on a U- shaped holder having two arms 75 and 76, and a lever arm 74 mounted on a pivot 77 of a frame portion 17. The end portion 73 of lever portion 74 is pivotally connected with the piston rod.72 on a piston 71 movable in the cylinder 70 of a hydraulic or pneumatic servomotor. By operation of servomotor 70, 71, holders 73-76 is operated to urge the outer supporting rollers 63-66 against the outer squeezing rollers 67 and 68.

FIG. 9 shows the construction of the holders, and it will be seen that each holder supports a plurality of pairs of outer supporting rollers, only the uppermost outer supporting rollers 66 being visible in FIG. 9. Holder portions 75:: support several holder portions 75 in which the shafts 100 and 101 of the supporting rollers are mounted for rotation. Shafts 100 and 101 are connected by universal joints 102. A gear 103 is secured to shaft 101 and is driven by a gear 104 connected with a chain wheel 82 driven by an endless chain 79 which passes over a chain wheel 78 mounted on pivot 77 for rotation, and being connected by another endless chain 80 to a chain wheel 81 which drives the lower supporting roller 63 through a gear as described with reference to the upper supporting roller 66. The universal joints 102 connect shaft 100 and the supporting roller 66 on the same with the driven shaft 101 so that the outer supporting rollers 66 are driven and rotate the outer squeezing rollers 67 and 68.

Supporting rollers 64 and 65 are preferably driven in the same manner as supporting rollers 66 and 63 from a gear meshing with gear 104.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the operating means and drive means illustrated on the left side of FIGS. 8 and 9, are also provided on the right side of the squeezing rollers, but not shown. It is, however, not absolutely necessary to drive the outer supporting rollers on both sides of the outer squeezing rollers, since the drive means shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are sufficient for obtaining rotation of the outer squeezing rollers about the circular axes thereof.

While circular squeezing rollers have been described and illustrated, the squeezing rollers may be oval, and even substantially rectangular.

The above-described constructions permit an easy exchange of the squeezing rollers which may be gas filled annular tubes, or solid annular rings consisting of rubber or another elastic material.

By exchanging the squeezing rollers, the apparatus can be adapted for use with tubular webs of different diameter. If only a small adjustment is required, it is suflicient to exchange the squeezing rollers, but if the difference between the webs is substantial, the inner supporting rollers, and if necessary the spreading means and the outer supporting rollers have to be exchanged.

Particularly if the tubular web is wet due to immersion into a liquid dye, it is advantageous to transport the web through several squeezing arrangements as described above, so that the tubular web is subjected to squeezing in successive annular gaps between cooperating squeezing rollers.

It is not necessary to arrange the axes of the squeezing rollers 2 and 3 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a horizontal plane, but two squeezing rollers can be arranged in the position of the squeezing rollers 68, 69 or 67, 69 in the embodiment of FIG. 8.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of squeezing and transporting arrangements for tubular webs differing from the types described above.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. Squeezing arrangement for wet tubular webs, comprising, in combination, transporting means for transporting a tubular web in longitudinal direction thereof; at least one annular elastic inner squeezing roller and at least one annular elastic outer squeezing roller having parallel annular axes and forming an annular gap for said tubular web so that said elastic inner squeezing roller is located in said tubular web and said elastic outer squeezing roller surrounds the same; and supporting means supporting said annular elastic inner and outer squeezingrollers for rotation about said annular axes so that said transported wet tubular web is squeezed out in said gap between said annular elastic inner and outer squeezing rollers.

2. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transporting means comprise drive means for rotating at least one of said annular elastic squeezing rollers about the axis thereof whereby said tubular web is transported in said gap.

3. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means include a plurality of outer supporting roller means cooperating with said outer annular squeezing roller.

4. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein said outer supporting roller means include outer pairs of supporting rollers in rolling contact with said outer squeezing roller.

5. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein said transporting means include drive means for driving one supporting roller of each of said pairs of outer supporting rollers.

6. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said drive means include a drive motor, and connecting means connecting said driven outer supporting rollers with each other and with said drive motor for synchronous rotation.

7. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein said connecting means includes an endless connecting loop, and a plurality of pulley wheels engaging said loop and being connected with said driven outer supporting rollers for rotation.

8. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means include a plurality of pairs of outer supporting rollers in rolling contact with said outer squeezing roller; a plurality of mounting means rotatably supporting said pairs of outer supporting rollers, and frame means supporting said mounting means with said pairs of outer supporting rollers for movement toward and away from said outer squeezing roller; and comprising operating means for moving said mounting means for varying the pressure of said outer supporting rollers on said outer squeezing roller.

9. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein said operating means include pulley wheels on said mounting means, a flexible loop means passing over said pulley wheels, and a servo motor for varying the length of said loop means so that said mounting means and outer supporting rollers are simultaneously moved inward toward said outer squeezing roller when the length of said loop means is reduced.

10. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein said operating means include at least one hollow expansible body adapted to be inflated and acting on said mounting means for moving the same with said outer supporting rollers inward toward said outer squeezing roller.

11. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein said hollow expansible body comprises a tube surrounding said mounting means abutting the same with an inner surface, and having an outer surface abutting said frame means.

12. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner and outer squeezing rollers are circular rings having circular cross sections, said circular rings having coinciding centers and circular axes located in a common plane and wherein said supporting means include inner and outer supporting rollers rotatably supporting said inner and outer squeezing rollers, respectively.

13. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said annular elastic inner and outer squeezing rollers are solid and consist of an elastomer.

14. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for supplying said tubular web in a fiat condition with two web portions superimposed; and spreading means for spreading said superimposed web portions and for guiding said spread tubular web toward said annular gap.

15. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein said supporting means include inner supporting roller means supporting said inner roller for rotation; and wherein said spreading means supports said inner supporting roller means for rotation and has a free rounded end portion projecting in said tubular web between said superimposed web portions for spreading the same.

16. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 15, wherein said spreading means include inner spreading rollers mounted wherein the spread web on said end portion to further spread said web, and pairs of outer spreading rollers cooperating through said Web with said inner spreading rollers; comprising a frame rotatably supporting said outer spreading rollers; and wherein the diameter of said annular elastic inner squeezing roller is selected so that the portion of said web between said spreading rollers and said inner roller is funnel shaped.

17. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein said spreading means include a plurality of angularly spaced spreading bails slidably engaging the inner surface of said tubular web; and adjusting means for moving said spreading bails in radial directions for spreading said web to different diameters.

18. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 comprising two parallel annular elastic outer squeezing rollers cooperating through said tubular web with said one annular elastic inner roller and forming two annular gaps with the same through which said tubular web passes; wherein the inner diameter of said outer squeezing rollers is smaller than the outer diameter of said inner squeezing roller so that said elastic inner squeezing roller is supported on said elastic outer queezing rollers; wherein said supporting means include a plurality of outer supporting roller means for rotatably supporting said elastic outer squeezing rollers and thereby said elastic inner squeezing roller; and drive means for rotating at least one of said outer supporting roller means and thereby said outer squeezing roller.

19. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 18, wherein said supporting means include a plurality of inner supporting rollers in rolling contact with said elastic inner roller, and a frame supporting diametrically disposed inner supporting rollers; and operating means for moving said outer supporting roller means inward whereby said elastic outer squeezing rollers are urged inward against said elastic inner squeezing roller which is held by said frame and inner supporting rollers.

20. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means included a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of supporting rollers, each pair being in rolling contact with one of said squeezing rollers; comprising drive means for driving one supporting roller of each pair, said drive means including a motor, and connecting means connecting said driven supporting rollers of each pair and being driven by said motor; mounting means supporting said pairs of supporting rollers for rotation; frame means supporting said mounting means for radial movement with said supporting rollers toward and away from said one squeezing roller; and operating means including a servo motor, and transmission means connecting said servo motor with said mounting means for moving the same with all said pairs of supporting rollers simultaneously toward said one squeezing roller.

21. Squeezing arrangement as claimed in claim 20, comprising two annular elastic outer squeezing rollers cooperating through said tubular web with said one inner squeezing roller for supporting the same for rotation; and wherein said squeezing rollers are circular and have circular cross sections and circular axes of rotation having centers located on a central straight line.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,893,197 l/1933 Cohn 8-151 FOREIGN PATENTS 742,075 11/ 1943 Germany. 947,065 8/ 1956 Germany. 1,056,817 5/1959 Germany. 1,262,201 3/1968 Germany.

678,328 9/ 1952 Great Britain.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner LEON O. MACHLIN, Assistant Examiner 

